Autodesk goes 64-bit

Autodesk announced at Siggraph that its latest range of systems will support 64-bit processing.
Autodesk Media & Entertainment

Discreet Fire 7 and Discreet Smoke 7 are the latest versions of Autodesk’s advanced non-linear editing and finishing systems. They have been completely re-architected as 64-bit applications, and come with many powerful new creative tools and workflow and productivity enhancements including a redesigned Motion Estimation Timewarp, a new Gap Effect operator and numerous new effects A/V tools.

Well, “re-architected” sounds like a made-up word but is it another case of Autodesk leading where others will follow, or will it be marketing hype and hot air?

Read on for the full press release.

Fire 7 and Smoke 7 Overview                                                             

 

Announced and Shipping around SIGGRAPH (22 July)

 

Discreet Fire 7 and Discreet Smoke 7 are the latest versions of Autodesk’s advanced non-linear editing and finishing systems. They have been completely re-architected as 64-bit applications, and come with many powerful new creative tools and workflow and productivity enhancements including a redesigned Motion Estimation Timewarp, a new Gap Effect operator and numerous new effects A/V tools.

 

Since the release of Smoke 6.7 all of Autodesk’s Linux-based Smoke systems running on supported hardware are now capable of working in HD resolutions. This means that users can create HD projects, capture and play out HD video, use HD content in fully mixed resolution timelines, etc. HD capabilities give users the flexibility to accept a broader range of projects in either SD or HD.

 

Autodesk’s Media and Entertainment Division customers on subscription will get this exciting release for no additional charge. Upgrade programmes exist for other customers.

 

Main New Features in Fire 7 and Smoke 7

 

1.   New 64-bit architecture for superior performance when dealing with the increasingly complex large data sets of modern digital media creation.

       The new architecture provides more addressable memory which means the application can hold more information. This is a huge advantage for interactive manipulation of multilayered, uncompressed HD, 2K, 4K images and higher.

       Available on SGI IRIX only: Flame 7 and Smoke DI 7

 

2.    A new, optimised Timewarp has been designed and built using proprietary motion analysis technology from Autodesk’s Image Science Group.  It has been specifically designed to provide the highest quality and performance. The Timewarp feature will also be available for Inferno, Flame and Flint.

    Improved accuracy in frame interpolation helps create crisper images, especially when calculating significant changes in timing.

    Simple to use. In keeping with Discreet’s philosophy of enhanced application workflow the Timewarp has been designed to be extremely simple to setup and use while producing extremely high quality results. With tools like the Master Keyer and Colour Warper, Autodesk provides editors with not only the industry’s most advanced creative tools but also tools that are easy to use – so they can do more, more interactively with their clients – a hallmark of all Autodesk editing and effects systems.

 

3.    Clip History. This powerful workflow and collaboration feature was first introduced in Inferno, Flame, Flint 6/9 and this latest release brings it to Fire and Smoke users as well. Clip History allows artists and editors to go back and make changes to the work they create with greater ease and efficiency. Clip History is stored with the media in the Clip Library and can be shared between Autodesk’s editing and effects systems for improved interoperability and collaboration.

 

4.    New Effects A/V Tools. We’ve added numerous new A/V operators such as AutoMatte, Compound and Negative. These new A/V tools simplify frequently used functions.  We’ve also added rendering and frame rate conversion enhancements. A/V effects are compatible between editing and effects systems and can be shared via Clip History.

 

5.    Soft text in Timeline. Now it’s possible to create, edit and play back text directly in the timeline without rendering for increased interactivity and improved workflow. 

6.    Burn from the Timeline. Users can now use Burn to render effects remotely from directly within both the Timeline and the Source Area, again improving workflow.

 

7.    Grids and Guides have been added to Multiview.

 

8.    Overlay UI for Colour Correction. We’re introducing a powerful new colour-correction UI concept to Fire 7 and Smoke 7’s colour correction module. First shown as a technology demo three years ago, the overlay UI is a transparent interface that disappears as you make colour adjustments so that the editor can see more of the image full screen and without the visual distraction of a permanent interface. 

 

9.    Gap Effect is a new feature which allows users to apply effects across multiple segments in the timeline. Users apply effects independently of the clip and they can visually "stretch" the effect on the timeline so that it’s applied to as many clips as desired.

 

10.  Keycode support is available for Fire 7 and Smoke 7 DI (IRIX). It will not be available in Smoke 7 on Linux. Keycode support allows conform of DPX files based on keycode information from the offline edit.

 

What’s New in Autodesk’s Discreet Inferno 6.5, Discreet Flame 9.5 & Discreet Flint 9.5

 

The new versions of these visual effects systems include a powerful new 64-bit architecture for superior performance when dealing with the increasingly complex large data sets of modern visual effects production. They also include some great new visual effects tools designed specifically for the needs of the world’s most advanced and talented visual effects artists. Discreet Inferno 6.5, Discreet Flame 9.5 and Discreet Flint 9.5 are available at no extra charge exclusively to customers with valid current support and subscription contracts.

 

Main New Features in IFF 6.5/9.5

1.         64-bit architecture for Inferno and Flame (SGI IRIX)

2.         Motion Estimation Timewarp: New Autodesk motion estimation algorithms provide advanced timewarping capabilities for high quality slow-motion and speed-up effects

3.         Layer-based Paint:  This powerful new paint module provides users with a high-performance high-resolution paint system that offers increased design flexibility layer-based graphics creation when working within Inferno, Flame, and Flint’s advanced Batch workflow.

4.         Improved text module The text module is now also accessible from Batch to improve workflow

 

 

 

SIGGRAPH Electronic Theatre & Animation Theatre

 

A number of projects that will be shown in the SIGGRAPH 2005 Electronic and Animation Theatres used Autodesk Media and Entertainment Division’s products to realise their ideas, including:

 

Gopher Broke (USA) Director: Jeff Fowler

Blur Studio used Autodesk 3ds Max modelling and animation software on this 4½-minute 3D film styled in classic cartoon comedy tradition. The short was nominated for the Animated Short Film Academy Award. 

 

Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith (USA) Director: John Knoll

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) used Discreet Inferno as part of its proprietary SABRE visual effects system, along with Autodesk Burn for background processing

 

World of WarCraft (USA) Director: Matt Samia

Blizzard Entertainment used 3ds Max

 

Fallen Art (Poland) Director: Tomek Baginski

Platige Image used 3ds Max

 

Piñata (Australia) Director: Mike Hollands

Act3animation used 3ds Max

 

In the Rough (USA) Director: Paul Taylor

Blur Studio used 3ds Max

 

9 (USA) Director: Shane Acker

Used 3ds Max

 

Anti-Smoking "Growth" (USA) Director: Dante Ariola

Method used Flame

 

Esuvee "Keep It on All Fours" (UK) Director: Daniel Kleinman

Framestore CFC used Inferno for compositing

 http://www.framestore-cfc.com/commercials/esuvee/index.html

 

Renault Espace "La Vie d’Hector" (UK) Directors: Dom and Nic

Framestore CFC used Inferno for compositing

http://www.framestore-cfc.com/commercials/renault_espace/index.html

Posted: July 22nd, 2005
Categories: News
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